NFL Picks Week 16: Guaranteed Winners in Each Key Matchup

Whether football fans can believe it or not, the 2013 NFL season has reached Week 16, and bettors are already looking for the guaranteed picks in all the key matchups.

The slate of games in the penultimate week will have even the most casual fans excited about the action, but there are several marquee games that should be considered locks.

Here are the predicted winners in every meeting this weekend and a focus on the most important matchups.

Week 16 NFL Predicted Winners

Away Team

Home Team

Proj. Winner

Miami Dolphins

Buffalo Bills

Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

Carolina Panthers

Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Washington

Cowboys

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

St. Louis Rams

Rams

Chicago Bears

Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles

Cleveland Browns

N.Y. Jets

Browns

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Broncos

Tennessee Titans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Titans

Arizona Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks

N.Y. Giants

Detroit Lions

Lions

Oakland Raiders

San Diego Chargers

Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers

Green Bay Packers

Packers

New England Patriots

Baltimore Ravens

Ravens

Atlanta Falcons

San Francisco 49ers

49ers

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles (8-6) vs. Chicago Bears (8-6)

The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to bounce back from a tough blowout loss in Week 15 to the Minnesota Vikings by hosting the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football. Despite both teams fighting for a playoff berth in their respective divisions, the home-field advantage will help the Eagles secure the victory.

As great as Philadelphia’s offense led by Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy has been this season—boasting a squad that is ranked first in the league rushing the ball and 10th through the air—the reason the team lost in Week 15 was the lack of elite play from the defensive unit.

Any chance either the Bears or Eagles defense can stop the other Sunday night in Philly? Looks like a 48-45 kind of game coming up...

The Eagles had allowed an average of fewer than 20 points per game during the previous five-week winning streak, but Philadelphia faltered against Minnesota by allowing 455 total yards of offense and 48 points.

The Eagles’ 31st-ranked secondary must get back to basics if it wants to stop a Chicago team that boasts two of the most talented wide receivers in the league with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

With the fate of Philadelphia’s postseason hope hinging on a big win over the Bears, Chip Kelly and the Eagles should come out fast on their home field and hand Chicago a tough loss.

Predicted Final Score: Philadelphia 34, Chicago 27

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) vs. Indianapolis Colts (9-5)

After losing three games in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs have addressed many of the key issues plaguing the team and strung together two victories since. As well as the Indianapolis Colts have played at times this season, the team is far too inconsistent to be a legitimate threat to Kansas City on Sunday.

Kansas City lost three divisional matchups in a row in Weeks 11-13 but bounced back offensively and defensively over the last two games against the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders. While Washington and Oakland are mediocre at best, the offense amassed 101 points over that stretch and only allowed 41 points.

Led by the 215 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns of running back Jamaal Charles in Week 15, there is no offensive unit in the NFL hotter right now. The same can’t be said for Indianapolis.

The Colts have lost three of the team’s last five games and struggled at times in the victories. Quarterback Andrew Luck has lost several key pieces on the offense (i.e. Reggie Wayne) over the course of the season, but the biggest disappointment has been the addition of running back Trent Richardson.

Richardson has averaged just 2.9 yards per carry and failed to be the difference-maker the franchise gave up a first-round pick to acquire. The struggles will continue against the vaunted Kansas City defense.

In the battle of Charles vs. Richardson, the Chiefs have the distinct advantage and will control the clock and scoreboard throughout.

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off the most devastating loss of the season, but there is no better remedy for the issues that have plagued the team than a matchup with the lowly Washington Redskins.

Dallas amassed an astounding 466 total yards of offense in the 37-36 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but the team’s lack of commitment to the rushing attack in the second half left the door open for the epic comeback we saw Sunday.

Which projected winner needs the victory most?

Philadelphia EaglesKansas City ChiefsDallas CowboysSubmit Votevote to see results

Which projected winner needs the victory most?

Philadelphia Eagles

29.4%

Kansas City Chiefs

7.1%

Dallas Cowboys

63.5%

Total votes: 170

The Cowboys will not fold like that for Washington.

Despite the tough loss, Dallas still boasts an incredibly talented offensive unit. Led by the consistent running of DeMarco Murray and the experience of Tony Romo, the Cowboys are more balanced on offense now than the franchise has been at any point over the last three seasons.

Romo will have a chance to bounce back from his two-interception performance against a Washington defense allowing 251.9 yards passing per game, but the key to success will be the commitment to running the ball. The Redskins have struggled against the run all season (17th in the NFL), and Murray must be given ample opportunities to shine.

As long as Dallas stays committed to keeping the offense balanced by using the run and the pass evenly, the team should secure the victory.